The Soul Goals, Episode 36: Elliott

“If you don’t have good dreams, you’ll have nightmares.”  - Dave Mealer

For as long as Elliott can remember, his life has been filled with family love, support, and guidance.  As he rose to the top of his class as a prominent football player, being recruited to play collegiately by top programs and ultimately landing at The University of Michigan, becoming a standout player for the Wolverines, his Dad was with him every step of the way.  But on Christmas Eve of 2007, Elliott’s senior year of high school, his world would change forever when he and his family were involved in a horrific auto accident that claimed the life of his father Dave and his girlfriend Hollis.

Elliott sustained injuries that were both physical and emotional as he worked to free his family from the wreckage.  His brother Brock was trapped and would eventually be pulled from their SUV, sustaining a critical spinal injury that left him paralyzed.  Elliott’s immeasurable loss that Christmas Eve devastated him and their family as they clung to each to grieve and heal.

Elliott’s decision to move forward with his college football career in 2008 would become a pivotal piece to the entire families healing process.  As Elliott was working to land his spot on Michigan’s football lineup, his brother, Brock, was working towards walking once again.  Ultimately, Elliott’s recruitment as a Wolverine would benefit the entire family unit as Elliott’s college strength coach, Mike Barwis, would get involved with Brock's spinal cord recovery.  Without Elliott moving forward to honor his Dad through his sport, his brother Brock would never know Mike…and without Mike, things would have been much different for each of them.

Full circle moments are immense within Elliott’s story.  His faith, his follow through, and his dedication to his family are such gifts.  Knowing that the journey is the destination, Elliott holds to the fact that memories diminish, but beliefs last.  And his never-ending belief in things greater than him are what continues to bring him peace and beauty in all that he does.

Everyone has a story, and every story matters.